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Body Of Sperm Whale Found Off Key Largo

Carcass of a dead sperm whale next to the International Fishing Pier in Deerfield Beach.A sperm whale carcass similar to this one was found off the coast of Key Largo Thursday.

KEY LARGO (CBSMiami/AP) — The body of a 35-foot-long sperm whale was towed 10 miles of the Florida Keys to Gulf Stream after being discovered near Key Largo Thursday.

Officials with the Marine Mammal Conservancy responded along with officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

MMC officials estimated the whale likely died in much deeper water at least two days ago and drifted in. They obtained skin and blubber samples that are to be examined in an effort to determine a cause of death.

Sea Tow Key Largo volunteered to drag the deceased whale offshore. The Gulf Stream current should carry the carcass well offshore, where much of it is likely to be consumed by predators.